The Situation:

As many are aware, the Cuban people are facing severe and worsening hardships as they try to survive sanctions and a total blockade imposed against their island. Those just trying to get by are finding it harder and harder with each passing day. Power outages are now extending beyond 15hrs daily, water is scarce, and simply going to the market to get supplies has become a struggle. The lack of fuel has caused the price of even the most basic necessities to skyrocket, and without vehicles, trips to the market often involve walking over an hour.

Classroom with children studying around a table, with pink walls and a window showing greenery outside, located in Matanzas, Cuba.
A classroom full of young children sitting around a table working on coloring pages with crayons and colored pencils, some children are looking at the camera while others focus on their work.
Group of children and a young woman seated around a table with school supplies, in a room with pink walls and large windows.

Cubans are some of the most resilient and resourceful people you could ever meet, and have been getting by for decades despite harsh embargoes and outside forces trying to crush their small but mighty island. In the past, flights from Canada were a key source of donated goods brought by tourists or family members living abroad. Canadian airlines have now cut service to Cuba to prevent their customers from being stranded due to the unpredictable availability of fuel. This has resulted in a drop in donated medicines, first aid supplies, and feminine hygiene products that were routinely being brought into Cuba in the suitcases of travelers.

The only way to get vital goods like food, water and basic supplies is by having the funds to purchase them at highly inflated prices. And, of course, the people most impacted by this are the caregivers, who need to procure these vital goods for the people in their care as well as for themselves.

The Plan:

We’d like to focus our fundraising efforts on supporting the regular people of Cuba. They’re already acutely aware of the resources they need in order to have the broadest impacts in their community. We’ll be sending every penny raised here to a seasoned and heart-led community leader in the town of Cienfuegos who has dedicated her life and career to caring for those around her.

It’s our hope that the money raised here will bring a breath of relief to her and all the people she directly impacts through her tireless community care.

A group of children and a woman are gathered outdoors, smiling and making a circle around the woman, who is waving. The children are of various ages and are standing on a stone pathway with green plants and trees in the background.

How To Give:

Because of the strict sanctions imposed on this country, regular crowd-sourcing platforms have been impossible to use. Therefore we’ll be accepting all donations via e-transfer. Please send all donations to Matthew: mjclevan@gmail.com

and type “Cuba” or “donations” into the note section of your transfer.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.